Tombstone Tuesday-Spanish-American War Marker, Charles S. Hatch

Continuing with grave markers with a military connection, here is a local marker of a Spanish-American War veteran. This may be the only Spanish-American War marker I have seen. It was a short conflict and not many served in it.

The Spanish-American War, 21 April 1898-10 December 1898, was fought in the Philippines and Cuba and was primarily a naval war. The conflict ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and the United States acquired territories in the western Pacific and Latin America.

This bronze military marker, located in Willshire Cemetery, marks the grave of Charles S. Hatch. Charles served as a Private in the 1st Regiment Maryland. He enlisted 5 July 1898 and was discharged 28 February 1899. [1]

Spanish-American War marker, Charles S Hatch, Willshire Cemetery. (2019 photo by Karen)

The Spanish-American War flag staff by Charles’ marker.

Spanish-American War flag staff, Charles S Hatch, Willshire Cemetery. (2019 photo by Karen)

Charles Stephen Hatch was born in Plymouth, Ohio, 27 May 1878, the son of James and Mary (Ferguson) Hatch. Charles died at his residence in Willshire on 8 October 1949, at the age of 71. He lived in Fort Wayne before moving to Willshire in about 1939 and was a retired salesman. [2] Other sources indicate that he was a butcher/meat cutter most of his life. Charles was married twice. He married Minnie Wilder in 1901 and they had several children. Minnie died in 1927and Charles married Lennie King in 1928.

Spanish-American War marker, Charles S Hatch, Willshire Cemetery. (2019 photo by Karen)

[1] Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941, Records of the Offices of the Quartermaster General, National Archives, Washington DC, NAID A1, 2110-C, Record Group No. 92, Charles S Hatch; Ancestry.com.

[2] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Van Wert Co, Willshire Twp, Charles S Hatch, 8 Oct 1949;  database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9ZY-TJLS?i=754&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6CF-529  : viewed 13 Jun 2021).

 

6 comments

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    • R JOE BYER on June 16, 2021 at 7:20 pm
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    Karen:

    The only Spanish American War veteran in Willshire I knew of was James Buchanan. There is no photo of his maker so I don’t know if it notes his service or not. He is buried in Willshire Cemetery.

    1. Thank you for that information. There is no photo of James Buchanan’s marker on Find a Grave and I do not have a photo of his marker, but the 1992 Van Wert County Cemetery Inscriptions book shows that he does have a flag staff. Although written above the flagstaff in the book is K of P [Knights of Pythias] and, without seeing the grave-site, I do not know if K of P is written on his tombstone or his flag staff. I will have to check that out the next time I get to the Willshire Cemetery. I did some looking and James S Buchanan served in Co. B, 160th Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War. That company was originally organized in Decatur. Again, thank you for writing and for some great information.

      • R JOE BYER on June 18, 2021 at 6:51 pm
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      Karen:

      My grandfather, Charles Kitson, was in the same company as Jim Buchanan. He is buried in St. joseph’s Cemetery in Decatur. His marker does indicate his service in the Spanish American War. I can access a photo of it but am unable to download and send it to you. Jim and Grandpa were good friends. I don’t recall either of them ever speaking of other local soldiers of that era.

      1. How interesting! Thank you for that information. I looked on Find a Grave as see his marker and obituary. It is great to know about another local Spanish-American War veteran. It is no surprise they were friends and they probably both belonged to the same United Spanish-American War Veterans society. I will have to visit his grave the next time I am over that way. Thanks for writing!

  1. Ruth Melendez @ Hst.Tx.

    Remarkable footwork and discovery
    on grave site what rich history there.
    Enjoyed reading Nimrods journals .
    Maybe one day we can do genealogy

    1. Thank you and thank you for writing.

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